Emily Koltnow
Principal & Founder

Emily Koltnow’s women’s apparel industry experience spanned 23 years and included design, merchandising and management positions for moderate, contemporary, better and bridge price point manufacturers. This has given her unparalleled insight into the inner workings of every facet of an apparel company.

Emily left the manufacturing side of the industry in 1987 and launched WIN Workshops, a unique seminar for executive women in career transition. Over 700 women from all industries participated in the workshops. In 1990 Emily authored CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve Been Fired!, published by Random House. The book is based on the workshops and a national survey. She has been featured in publications including: Business Week, Crain’s New York, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, McCalls, and Working Woman. She has been a frequent guest on radio and national television with over 50 appearances including: CNN, The Joan Rivers Show and Good Morning America.

As a specialist in career strategies, Emily has given presentations to leading business schools, retailers and professional groups nationwide including: Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Columbia University, Society of Human Resource Managers, Stern Business School and Time Warner Inc.

As an active member of The Fashion Group International, Emily has served: as an officer on the Board of Directors, as a member of the Membership Committee and since 1997 has been Chairman of The Regional Conference Committee. In addition, Emily has served on: the Board of Trustees of YAI (a non-for-profit group working with mentally challenged individuals), the UJA Fashion Rescue Committee and the SEO Mentoring program, raising money to support mentoring students from inner-city schools.

Emily has been an adjunct professor at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, a critic/lecturer at Pratt Institute, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pratt Institute.

Maxine Forman
Vice President

Maxine has a strong background on both the retail and manufacturing side of the business. She started her career on the Executive Training Program at Bloomingdales and held buying positions at Bloomingdales, Macy's Corporate and Gus Mayer stores. Maxine transitioned to the manufacturing side when she joined Russ Togs as Merchandiser and after eleven years she left as SVP of Merchandise and Design. Following Russ Togs Maxine went to Macy's as Group VP to direct all private label programs for Women's Moderate Sportswear. Liz Claiborne recruited Maxine for Division Head and Corporate VP Liz Wear. From there she went to Kellwood as EVP of Merchandise and Design for four divisions. In 2000, Lord & Taylor hired Maxine as VP/Director of Design and Product Development for their private label programs for Men's and Women's Sportswear.

Throughout her career, Maxine has recruited, trained and managed large creative teams.

Maxine joined Koltnow & Company in 2010 as Vice President. She brings her extensive knowledge of all aspects of Design, Product Development and a thorough understanding of the hiring process.

Maxine is a graduate of NYU and is involved in the Professional Women's Division of UJA/Federation where she co-chaired the creation of the Women's Executive Circle and helped to launch their Mentoring Program. She is also a member of The Fashion Group International.